Hexavalent chromium sequestration from electronic waste by biomass of Aspergillus carbonarius

The idea of eliminating noxious metal ions from electronic waste contaminated water has led to the use of the metal adsorbing ability of biological matter. The principle of an ion exchanger of biological origin is the key in exhibiting this metal binding feature of microbial biomass. In this study, dead biomass of Aspergillus carbonarius was immobilized using sodium alginate and tested as a biosorbent for hexavalent chromium elimination from effluent. Size and functional groups were characterized for the immobilized bead containing biomass. Optimization of boundary variables like bead size, biosorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and temperature were performed. Maximum elimination of 92.43% hexavalent chromium was achieved at pH 2.0 for 12 h at 37°C, with 20 g/25 mL adsorbent dosage. On application of adsorption isotherms, the data were found to fit Freundlich isotherm and exhibited a high value of correlation coefficient proving the ability of A. carbonarius biomass to act as an effective quencher of hexavalent chromium from electronic waste contaminated water.